London Vacant Commercial Space Fit-Out Grant
The City of London covers 50% of fit-out costs, up to $50,000, when you open a business in a vacant commercial unit. This is a cost-share grant, meaning you pay for the work first and get reimbursed after inspection. Applications are open.
“The loan covers 50% of the improvement costs, up to a maximum of $50,000.”
From the official program page
Before you spend any money
Get the city's approval before you start work or buy anything. Work started before approval usually does not qualify.
At a glance
Subject to program rules, available funding, and approval. Confirm current details with the official program administrator.
Is this for you?
- You operate a storefront business within the City of London
- You are planning an interior renovation or fit-out for a vacant commercial unit
- You can secure approval from the city before starting any work or purchasing materials
Probably not the right fit if
- Your business is located outside London or outside the city's designated Core Area Community Improvement Plan zone
- You have already started or completed the renovation work before applying
How much you'd realistically get
For example, a storefront refresh (new facade, paint and exterior lighting):
Project cost
$60,000
Program pays
$30,000
You pay
$30,000
Illustration using this program's published rate and cap; amounts and eligibility are decided by the program.
50% of costs, up to $50,000
What may be supported
- interior fit-out / setup costs to open a business in a vacant unit
How applying works
Effort: mediumA city application with quotes/photos; approval before you start, then claim after completion.
- 01Confirm your property is in the program area and funds are available
- 02Get the city's written pre-approval BEFORE starting
- 03Complete the approved work
- 04Submit your costs for reimbursement
Documents commonly required
- Quotes/estimates for the work
- Photos of the current storefront
- Proof of property ownership or owner's consent
What to know before you count on it
- Cost-share: you pay for the work first, then the city reimburses its share (about half) after it's done and inspected.
- Apply and get approved BEFORE you start any work or buy anything. Work started before approval may not qualify.
- Only vacant commercial units in London's Core Area Community Improvement Plan zone qualify. Confirm your address qualifies before you spend.
- Municipal funding is limited each year. Confirm money is still available.
What are your odds?
To qualify, the unit must be vacant and inside London's Core Area zone, the city must still have money this year, and you must get approval before work starts.
More funding by what it pays for
Funding for Accessibility
Grants for ramps, doors and washrooms may help pay for accessibility improvements.
Funding for Storefront Signage
Grants and loans that may help pay for new storefront signage.
Funding for Storefronts and Facades
Grants and loans that may help pay for storefront and facade work.
What you can combine it with
You may be able to combine this with provincial or federal programs for the same project. Ask the city which other programs you can combine with this grant.
Related programs
Regional Opportunities Investment Tax Credit
Up to $45,000
Corporations can claim a 10% refundable corporate income tax credit on eligible commercial or industrial building expenditures in designated Ontario…
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London Upgrade to Building Code Loan
Up to $200,000
Bring your commercial interior up to code with plumbing, electrical, HVAC, or fire protection improvements.
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London Facade Improvement Loan
Up to $50,000
This interest-free City of London loan covers half the cost of facade, signage, and window improvements. You repay the loan over 10 years.
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Worth reading before you apply
Get alerted when this changes
Programs open and close, budgets run out, rules change. We send one short email when something changes that matters for this program.
Page last updated ; status and deadline checked . Source: official program page.